Door assembly for laundry tubs



Oct. 16, 1956 B. R. THIELE ,9

DOOR ASSEMBLY FOR LAUNDRY TUBS Filed Oct. 21, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l slg Bewkhold Q- 1 0 ,5 a M4: (0%

Oct. 16, 1956 R, THELE 2,766,902

DOOR ASSEMBLY FOR LAUNDRY -TUBS Filed Oct. 21, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CATTOr-UOBY/ noon ASSEMBLY non LAUNDRY runs Berthold R. Thiele, Ripon, Wis assignor to Speed Queen Corporation, Ripon, Wis, a corporation of Delaware Application October 21, 1952, Serial No. 315,883

4 Claims. (Cl. 220-34) The purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved access door assembly for laundry machine tubs, particularly for tubs equipped with internal pressure applying means for extracting excess water from the laundry.

One object of the invention is to provide a tub door assembly including a light weight access door of simplified, economical construction which is capable of effecting a fluid tight closure of a laundry tub and containing the maximum outward forces within the tub purely by direct action of the access door on the tub itself.

Another object is to provide an improved laundry tub door assembly in which the tub access door is constrained for modified edgewise movement along an unobstructed path between a tub closing position and a retracted, open position within the tub. A more specific object is to provide a laundry tub door assembly having a unique double hinge support solidly mounted on the tub and capable of reaching deep within the tub to support the tub door in a retracted position adjacent the inner side wall of the tub.

A further object is to provide a tub door assembly of the above character in which the tub door is retained in either closed or open position without the use of latches or the like. A related object is to provide a tub door assembly which can be readily opened or closed by a short, straightforward control movement by the operator.

Other objects and advantages will be perceived from the following description of the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partially sectioned side view of a laundry tub and access door assembly constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the tub and door assembly of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side view, partially in section, showing the tub door assembly in closed position.

Fig. 4 is a view generally similar to Fig. 3 but showing the tub door assembly in open position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the double hinge support for the tub door.

While certain advantages are realized from the particular correlation of structural elements forming the illustrated embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific form shown but embraces all equivalent constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

Although susceptible of more general utility in laundry tubs of various designs, the tub door assembly of the present invention is especially useful in conjunction with laundry tubs equipped with internal pressure applying means for expressing excess water from the laundry. Moreover, certain features of the invention are highlighted by use of the invention with laundry tubs equipped with bottom agitators.

nite States atent Thus, in the drawings, which are designed to illustrate the special advantages of the invention, as well as its broader features, an upwardly open laundry tub 10 is equipped with an agitator 11 of conventional design projecting upwardly from the bottom of the tub. A flexible squeezing bag 12 conforming generally in size and shape to the inner side wall of the tub 10 is nested within the tub and suitably secured thereto in a fluid tight manner along the upper and lower edges of the wall. In the specific construction illustrated, the upper edge of the bag 12 is thickened to form a head 14 which is clamped in an annular recess 15 in the upper marginal edge of the tub wall by a dish shaped annulus 16 fixed to the'tub wall. The radially inward edge of the annulus 16 projects inwardly from the tub wall to define a circular access opening 17 in the top of the tub.

A fluid connection 19 in this instance is provided in the wall of the tub 10 for the injection of pressurized fluid behind the bag 12 to cause the bag to billow inwardly toward the agitator 11 to express excess water from laundry centrally nested in the tub. This general arrangement is a well known expedient for extracting water from a batch of laundry after a washing or rinsing cycle, which in the tub shown is carried out by the agitator 11. It will be understood that the squeezing action of the bag 12 tends to produce an increase in pressure Within the tub 10. Also, the bag 12, when distended during a squeezing operation, tends to bulge upwardly through the tub access opening 17 The squeezing pressures within the tub 10 and the attendant upward movement of the bag 12 are contained by an improved tub door assembly 20 provided by the present invention. This assembly is contrived to close the access opening 17 from the inside of the tub 10 by means of a simplified closure or door member 21 constrained for modified edgewise movement along an unobstructed path between the tub closing position and a retracted, out-of-the-way position within the tub.

The door 21 itself is extremely simple in construction. In the preferred form shown it comprises essentially a downwardly concave disk of sheet metal conforming generally in shape to the tub access opening 17. The door 21 is made somewhat larger than the access opening 17 and is assembled within the tub to close the opening from the inside, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. With the door 21 in closed position, all outward forces onthe door (whether caused by the squeezing action of the bag 12 or otherwise) are transmitted directly to the tub by the engagement of the peripheral edge of the door with the inner marginal edge of the access opening 17, formed in this instance by the annulus 16 which is actually apart of the tub. This arrangement provides a sturdy, even support for the door against the outward forces thereon 1 without the use of latches or the like which would compli- I 22 is fixed to the periphery of the door 20 to form a cushion or gasket between the door and the tub. -It will be appreciated that the application of outward forces to the door, when it is in closed position, increases the reaction of the door on the tub, thereby tightening the seal between the tub and the door.

The door 21 is supported from the tub it by a unique double hinge support 24 which constrains the door for V modified edgewise movement along an unobstructed path between the tub closing position, Fig. 3, and a retracted, out-of-the-way position adjacent the inner side wall of. the

tub, Fig. 4. This hinge support 24 is mounted externally on the tub 10 to avoid interference with the efiecting of Patented Oct. 16, 1956 a parallel support links 26, ZTarticulated respectively-between two horizontal pivot supports 29, 3 on the'b'racke't and two=horizontal pivot bearings 31,- 32 medially located on top of the door 21; The door bearings are'formed in. this instance on a support log 34 fixed to the centralcrest of the door.

Preferably, the tub bracket pivot supports 2?, 33 are radially spaced from each other with respect to the access opening 17 and the door pivot bearings 31, 32 are laterally spaced across the door 21. One support link-261s pivoted at opposite ends to the radially outermost pivot support 29 onthe bracket and the nearer door pivot bearing 31; The other support link 27 is pivotedat opposite ends to the inner pivot support 36 on the bracket 25, whichis located somewhat above the level of the outer pivot support 29, and to the more remote door pivot bearing 32. a

Thus correlated with each other, the component elements of the'hinge assembly 24 constrain the opening and closing movements or" the door 21 to a prescribed path defined by the cumulative actions of (1) swinging movement of the door by the hinge links 26, 27 aboutthe bracket pivots 29, 3t and (2) tilting movement of the door in the opposite direction about the pivots 31, 32 between the door and the links. Thus, in moving, for example, from its closed to its open position, nested adjacent the inner side wall of the tub, the door 21"is side-- slipped generally edgewise-and tilted from a horizontal position to an upwardly tilted angle when nested in open position. The door thus moves along a modified translatory path which clears the central portion of the tub, thereby'avoiding obstruction of free movement of the door by the agitator 11 or laundry clustered around the agitator. The door is returned to its closed position by reverse movement along the same unobstructed path;

As to the details of the preferred hinge support structure'shown, thehinge pivot bearings 31, 32 for the door 21 are defined in part by two parallel grooves 35, 36 formed in the top of a support lug 34 on the door. The support links 26, 27 are of generally U-shaped configuration, each comprising a pair of legs interconnected at one end by a straight journalbar integral with the legs, Fig 5. The journalbars 37, 39 of the links 26, 27 'are laid into "the bearing grooves 35, 36 of the'door support lug- 34 "and held in place by an overlying clamp '40 fixed" to the lug,'Fig. 3, and completing the pivot bearings 31,

a 32. In the embodiment illustrated'in the drawings, the

door pivot bearings 31, 32 lie above the pivot bearings 29, of the hinge bracket25. a i

The mounting bracket 25 with which the links 26,- 27 are articulated is formed from an inverted U-shaped channel section 41 extending-radially across the peripheral edge of the access opening 17 in an outwardly and downwardly inclined direction, Figs. 3 and 5. The legs '42'of the channel 41 are elongated downwardly at the outer end of the channel to engage the marginal edge, of the tub-(here, the annulus 16). Arcuate flanges 44 integral with the lower ends of the legs-42-extend horizontally along the tub and are fixed thereto form sturdy anchorsfor 'the bracket. The extreme ends of these bracket flanges 44 are turned upwardly to define ears 45 that are apertured to form together the" outermost pivot support 29 "for the hinge link 26. The two legs 46 of the hinge link 26 diverge-from the door pivot bearing-31 toward the spaced ears 45. 'The extreme ends of thexlegs 46 are.

toedilaterally to 'form'trunnions 47, received into the J apertured'ears 45."

The two legs49 of the other link 27 are bent to reach thetinearnendofnthe bracket channel. 41. Theextreme 4 ends of the link legs 49 are turned laterally away from each other to form trunnions 5ii-extending'into apertures 51 defined in the radially inward ends of the channel legs 42 and forming together the bracket support bearing 30.

To minimize the radial extension of the hinge bracket 25 into the access opening 17 and at the same time minimize the cantilever forces on the bracket incident to the reaction of the hinge links26, 27, the pivotal support bearings 29,30 are located radially outward to the a extent that the outermost bearing 29 is disposed directly above its anchor on the marginal edge of the tub. To

provide clearance "between the hinge link 26, pivoted to the bearing29, and the edge of the tub when the door 21 is opened, portions of the legs 46 of the link adjacent the bracket are hooked downwardly to curve around the edge of the tub as the door moves toward its retracted position, Fig. 4.

Added convenience in the use of the tub door assembly 25) is afforded by anover center. spring arrangement 52. incorporated into the hinge support 24 to automatically retain the door 21 in either open or closed position. The

illustrated form of this springarrangement comprises short radial arms 54 fixed to the extreme outer ends of the trunnions 47 of the link 26: Tension springs 55 are interconnected between the outer ends ofthe two-arms 54 and the tub 1G to impart a torque to the trunnio ns 47 and hence a turning moment on the link 26.

The direction of this turning moment is reversed upon opening or closing movement of the door '21 througha dead center position between its fully closed and its fully retracted positions. This reversal of moment not only enables the springs 55 to'retain the door in either position,

but it also serves to complete an opening or closing movement of the door once it has been initially moved past dead center position against the resistance ofthe springs.

A suitable handle 56 (here mounted directly on the V door..21) is provided for initiating opening and' closing movement of the door, whichmovernent, as previously mentioned, is completed by the" action of the'springs 55.

It will beappreciated thata'single straightforward control movement by the operator is -allthat is required to either. open or close the tub.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a domesticlaundry tub de-i fining an access opening therein, a tub doorassembly comprising a bracket mounted on the outer marginal edge of said tubrdefining said opening, said bracket forming a first pivot support disposed generally above the attachment of said bracket to said .tub anda second pivot support disposed vertically above and radially inward of said first support with respect to said access open ing, an access door somewhat larger than-said opening disposed-Within said tub for-closing said opening from the inside, means. on theupper central portion of said door defining'a pair oftpivot bearings; spaced from each other, one of said pivotbearings being closer to said bracket on said tub thanthe second -of said pivot bearings, afirst. hinge :link .pivotally interconnected between said first bracket pivot support and one of said door pivot bearings, and a second hinge link pivotally intercon nected between said second'bracket pivot support and-the second. of said. door pivot bearings, said hinge, links constraining said door for modified edgewisemovement along, an unobstructed path between tub-closing position and a' retracted, open position within said tub;

2. In'a combination with atubhaving an'access open-.. i ing therein, a door for said access openingrdisposedowithins said tub and larger than said access opening to engage the marginal edge portions of said tub defining said opening, and a hinge assembly for said door including a first link pivotally connected at one end portion to the outer surface of said tub generally in vertical alinement with the periphery of said access opening and pivotally connected at the second end portion to said door, said first link having a downwardly extending portion adjacent said one end to permit said second end to swing downwardly and under the marginal edge portions of said tub defining said opening, and a second link pivotally connected at one end portion to the outer surface of said tub in radially inward and upward spaced relation to the corresponding pivotal connection of said first link being positioned radially inwardly of the periphery of said access opening and pivotally connected at the second end portion to said door in horizontally spaced relation to the corresponding pivotal connection of said first link in a direction away from said first mentioned end portions of said links and the pivotal connections therefor, said pivotal connections having substantially horizontal axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said links so that said door moves downwardly and laterally from a closed position covering said opening to an upwardly inclined retracted position adjacent the inside surface of said tub and to one side of said access opening.

3. In combination with a tub defining an access opening therein, a tub assembly comprising a tub door larger than said opening and disposed within said tub for closing said opening from the inside, a hinge bracket on the outer surface of outer tub adjacent said opening, said bracket having a first pivot bearing and a second pivot bearing spaced from said first pivot bearing upwardly and radially inwardly toward said opening, a bracket on the outer surface of said cover having a third pivot bearing and a fourth pivot bearing spaced laterally from said third pivot bearing away from said bracket on said tub, a first link having one end portion pivotally supported on said third pivot bearing and a downwardly extending portion at its opposite end supported by said first pivot bearing to permit said first link to swing downwardly through said opening, a second link having its opposite end portions supported by said second and fourth pivot bearing, respectively, for moving said door from a position closing said opening to a retracted position under said bracket,

6 and an over-center spring means including a spring arm and a spring interconnected between said arm and tub for resiliently retaining said door in either closed or retracted position.

4. In combination with a domestic washing machine tub having an access opening therein, a door for said access opening, said door being larger than said opening and disposed within said tub to close said opening from the inside, means including first and second pivot bearings on the outer surface of said tub, said second bearing being positioned upwardly and radially inwardly of said tub opening with respect to said first bearing, means including third and fourth pivot bearings on the upper surface of said door, said third and fourth bearings being positioned upwardly of said first and second bearings when said door is in closed position, said fourth bearing being positioned in general horizontal alinement with said third bearing and spaced horizontally therefrom in a direction away from said first and second bearing, said bearings each having a horizontal axis parallel to the axes of the other bearings, a first rigid link pivotally connected at the respective end portions to said first and third pivot bearings and a second pivot link pivotally connected at its respective end links to second and fourth pivot bearings for guiding said door in a combined edgewise and increasing tilting movement from said horizontal closed position to an upwardly inclined position within said tub to one side of said access opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 712,797 Holtzmann Nov. 4, 1902 939,628 Pufier Nov. 9, 1909 1,271,900 Humburg July 9, 1918 1,870,973 Twaits Aug. 9, 1932 2,067,993 Twaits Jan. 19, 1937 2,189,818 Murrin Feb. 13, 1940 2,229,315 Sullivan Jan. 21, 1941 2,561,120 Horvath July 17, 1951 2,657,823 Skinner Nov. 3, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 254,872 Great Britain July 15, 1926 832,843 France July 11, 1938 

